2K Games has appointed Ben Brinkman from the creators of Apex Legends to direct the studio crew at 31st Union, which is currently developing the anticipated third-person action-packed title known as Project Ethos.
Management Shift Comes After Lukewarm Response
The new appointee assumes the leadership position at the development studio following the exit of former leader Michael Condrey, who was reportedly let go due to the game's lackluster early showing last autumn.
Recently, the company's top executive David Ismailer notified employees about this organizational change through an internal memo, which highlighted that early feedback sessions had indicated the necessity for a more defined vision.
Ismailer stated that the developers is now refining the project with a revised focus, aiming to better meet community desires.
Trend of Key Acquisitions
The news mirrors a comparable action taken by the publisher in the summer, when they hired Rod Fergusson from Blizzard to work on the BioShock studio Cloud Chamber.
Here is the full content from Ismailer's communication:
Hello Everyone—
I understand you all just finished your meeting - I hope you’re as thrilled as I am with the recent updates. Last time I sent you all a update, I stated the following: “I am confident in this crew. You all are some of the most dedicated and creative developers we have had the chance to work with - and we’re looking forward for that partnership to persist.”
Through your commitment and versatility, particularly over the past twelve months, you continue to prove that.
The gamer responses from last fall’s the game playtest was revealing. It confirmed the appeal of a action-packed game but told us we still had improvements to make. It revealed the need for a sharper identity.
It’s been inspiring to see how far you’ve come. You accepted the feedback to heart and overhauled the title with a renewed direction - one that’s poised to fulfill its ambition to our players.
The belief in Project ETHOS grows every day. To further the incredible development you’ve made, I am thrilled to announce Ben Brinkman as the incoming Lead of the team. After some time of discussions, he comes aboard us on next week.
Ben’s guidance and expertise in the PVP shooter genre is extensive, having devoted the recent years producing and managing some of the most recognizable titles in the industry, including the acclaimed shooter, and most recently, Apex Legends.
I invite you all in receiving Ben next week. We are all excited to keep observing the evolution of Project ETHOS in the weeks to come.
The President
Experience of the Incoming Head
The appointee currently serves in the position of senior developer and head of production at the renowned studio for their flagship title. He previously was employed at Treyarch and Activision in various development positions on the Call of Duty series, and, earlier in his career, had stints at 2K and Electronic Arts.
Title Details and Vision
Project Ethos was revealed in October 2024 alongside a community playtest. At the time, 31st Union presented the title as a "free-to-play, third-person perspective roguelike hero shooter and an thrilling evolution on the style."
"Build your perfect run—or die trying—in this 3rd-person action shooter! Build your hero in live gameplay to match your preferred approach," the official summary reads. "Challenge the competition with fresh skills, stakes, and tests that evolve every round. Will you withdraw carefully with your valuable rewards? Or take a risk, gamble everything, and trust your team can earn top ranking? The choice is yours."
The game lacks an announced release date or consoles, but fans can look forward to additional details as creation continues.
